Electrical apparatus



Nov. 17, 1936. J SMULsKl I 2,061,048

ELECTRI CAL APPARATUS Filed April 19, 1950 Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Anderson Company, of Indiana Application April 19,

3 Claims.

My invention relates" to electrical apparatus and particularly relates to electrical apparatus adapted to comniensurably reproduce at a given point as a force or movement, forces or move- 5 merits, existing at another point which may be disposed relatively remotely to the said first point.

Although my invention in its broader phases is susceptible of application to a wide variety in of uses, it has a particular use to the indication of thermal effects, movements of an element, pressure effects or the like at a point distant therefrom, and without requiring the transmission of motion directly between the two points. In my prior applications, Serial No. 133,426, filed September 3, 1926, Patent No. 1,885,050, granted October 25, 1932, and Patent No. 1,"

885,051, granted October 25, 1932, I disclosedapparatus of the general type operable in. elec trical systems for the above'general purposes, and therein disclosed electro-thermal responsive actuating means for the controlling and controlled elements of the system consisting of bimetallic strips of metal with a heating element therefor to be operated by warping from its original, preferably straight form, to a more arcuate form to perform the mechanical functions required of the said mechanisms.

Such oi-metallic strips provided the quality of heat storage to any desired predetermined degree, except that I have found that considerable care is required in the preparation of such strips and their installation in the mechanism to accurately predetermine the quantitative heat retentivity of such strips and their associated heating elements. Also, I have found that care must be taken to prevent changes gradually occurring in the responsiveness of the bi-metallic sheet metal strips employed, after the devices 40 have been put into use.

In another application previously filed by me, Serial No. 169,114, a wire under tensile stress is provided with an electrical heating element, which communicating heat to the wire, elongates it and tensile stress being simultaneously resiliently applied to the wire, its resultant elongation, when heated, effects operation of suitable apparatus provided.

It is found that this mechanism is difficult to adjust and that the heat storage effects are also difficult of predetermination for quantity production of the instruments.

Also the extensible wire employed must necessarily be of small gauge and the heat storage effects therefor must be obtained otherwise by Gary, Ind., a corporation 1930, Serial No. 445,648

the mass of metal contained in the extensible wire with resulting difllculties in manufacture in quantities.

In my present invention, I employ,,preferably for the actuating element of the controlling and/0r controlled mechanisms, a plain metal rod of steel, brass or other preferably metallic material, though my invention is not limited to the use of metallic rods, which are electrically heated to effect elongation of the rods, the relative movement of the ends of the rod, due to elongation, thermally effected, being employed to actuate the elements of the mechanisms sought to be electro-thermally actuated.

Such rods operate the actuatable part of the 15 mechanisms with considerable force, so that the mechanisms may be made more sturdy than heretofore. The thermal storage qualities of such rods may be very accurately predetermined, since these rods are preferably turned 20 to a given diametrical dimension and length at a given temperature and thereafter retain their original mass and therefore thermal properties.

From the above and by reference to the accompanying specification of a preferred embodi- 25 ment of my invention, the following objects of my invention will be understood:

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved thermally operable mechanism for the effecting at a remote point, a movement or force 39 commensurable with an original movement and/or force at another point.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved sturdy controlling mechanism for an electrical system of the type described. 5

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved relatively sturdy controlled mechanism for a system of the described type.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling and/or controlled mechanisms for systems of the described types when employed for any useful purpose.

Another object of my invention is to provide for controlling and/or controlled mechanisms of the general type herein described, an improved 45 primary actuating means susceptible to ready, accurate and inexpensive production in quantities, all produced elements having like predeter mined thermal characteristics.

Another object of my invention is to provide an to improved actuating element for mechanisms of the described type with which a thermal element may be intimately associated in such a manner as to effectually communicate heat thereto, and without undesirable loss of heat from the heating ele- 66 2isatopplanviewofthemechanismof 1 with the cover cap removed, and not shown; Fig.2aisaplanviewofoneofapairofcontact springs showninl'ig.2;

Fig.2bisaplanviewofanotherofthesaid pairof contact springs;

isatopplanviewofthemechanismof .5isasectlontakenonthelineHof .2: Fig. Bisaplan view ofan indicator mechanism embodying the principlesofmyinvention;

'I'ig.'lisasectiontakenonthelinellof I'ILB;

Fig.8isasectiontakenonthelinei-Oof Fig.7;

indicator mechanisms of the foregoing figures in system.

a typical electrical Referring now first to the controlling mechanism of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. the embodiment of my invention illustrated therein is in the form of a controller adapted to electrically relay to an indicator such as that shown in Figs. 6-8 inclusive, a mechanical efiect which is commensurable to the temperature which may in the water cooling jacket of an internal combustion engine, upon the outer wall I of which the controlling mechanism of Fig. 1 is mounted, as shown in Fig. 1.

The controller of Figs. 1 and 8 comprises a tubular support 2 supporting a plate 3 at its one end, a neck of the support being projected through an aperture of the plate and then headed over as shownatltorigidlysecurethetwopartstogether as an integral structure.

Acasinglisthenmountedontheplatetand comprises a base I of insulating material and an inverted metal cap I adapted to be fitted by its rim 8 over the peripheral edges of the plate I, whichisinthe formofadlsk. Thetubularsupport 2 is provided with a reduced exteriorly threaded end 9, whereby the support may be screwthreaded into a wall I of a water containingcasing which,asillustratedinl"ig.l,maybe a water cooling jacket of an internal combustion engine. Secured within the bore of the support I, coaxial therewith. and projecting from an end thereof, I provide a tube II which makes intimate engagement with the inner walls oi an inwardly extending annular flange ll of the support at its fixed end. and which is preferably 18b"! spaced exist, for instance.-

tuator rod It, about which the preferably silk inin otherportions towards its free interiorwallsofthesupportbore. ofthetube ilispreferahlyaecuredasbyeolderlngtothetubularwallsofthesupportlinaleak proofmannu.sothatwatertrcmtheiachetmy notpenetratetotheinteriorofthetube ll.

Thetube ilcarrieaatitsendametalplug ill throughwhichapivotscrew ilisaaiallyscrewthreaded to a proper sdiusted position. whereupontheendofthepluglllissolderedoveratll l0 topreventwaterfrompenetratingalongtheacrew ilihreadsofthescrew iltotheinteriorofthetube 1"igs.2aand2bwherebytheleafspringsmaybe securely mounted on a mounting'plate 2|. The springs itand llarerigidlysecuredto thebottomwalltofthecasinglbyscrewaflextending therethr-ough and through suitable strips 22 and 25 II of electrical insulating material. interposed between the leaf springs and between the leaf spring It and the plate 2i. all of which are thereby relatively electrically insulated from each other; insulating bushinls II electrically insulatethescrews Mfromthespring llandsaid plates. The leaf spring i'l, however, by its secured portion 20 through the screws 20 makes electrical connection with the metal parts of the casing and support. and through the support I and the jacket wall i.

Ordinarily the internal combmtion engine havingsuch ajacketwalliselectrlcallyeonnected to a groundedpoie ofthebattery. Wheretheengine is an automobile engine. the battery is preferably that usually provided for the purposes of ignition, engine starting and illumination.

Thesprings II and il aredisposedinsuperposed relation at their secured and free contact ying ends with thespring ll outermost. The intermediate portion of the spring it, is disposed laterallyfromtheintermediateportionodthe spring l1.

'Iheformofthecontactsprlngsisbest illutrated in Figs. 2a and 2b. the contacts I and II beingsecuredto theiri'reeendsandtheirfixed ends being perforated as shown at 24' for the admission of the screws2l,abovementioned. The spring II is provided with a projecting portion 28 which is perforated to receive an electrical circuit conductor I! leading from a heating element 21 to be described; the spring i'l isprovided with a centrally disposed bearing recess 28, on its inner side adapted to receive the pointed end of an acsulated electrical circuit conductor forming the electrical heating resistance element 21 is wrapped, preferably non-inductively, as shown within the tube II. The other pointed end of g5 the'rodll isreceived withinasimilarbearing of theend face ofthescrew llwhichbyadjlltment is advanced sufiiciently to establish proper operative contact between the two ends of the rod and thebearingrecessoftheacrew Handspring 1 II, respectively.

The insulated resistance wire I! aim being wrapped on the rod is preferably painted with a heat hardening material to retain it in place.

Thetube llis,preferably,madeofmetal1a rod 29 sufliciently to effect closure of the contacts l4 and I5, and previously assumed to be sepaas will be more fully ing a casing cup 4| rated, because of engagement between the rod and the spring l1 to deflect said spring. Closure of the contacts 14 and I5 will complete an electrical circuit comprising a source of current in the manner diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 9 to effect a current flow through the heating element 21 for the rod 29.

An electrical terminal connector consisting of a screw 34 projecting outwardly through the plate 2| and a clamping nut 33 provides a means for holding the casing cap 1 onto the insulating plate 5 and also for effecting an electrical connection to an end of the heating element 21 which is electrically connected to the plate 2|.

A tubular spacer 31 is interposed between the end wall of the cap and the outer surface of the plate 2|, and, preferably, a washer is interposed between the nut 35 and the outer surface of the cap. Preferably, the spacer 31 is fitted snugly onto the screw 34 so that it is retained in position thereon when the casing cap 1 is removed. The apparatus disposed within the casing 1 and including the casing 1 and insulating disk 9 are rigidly secured onto the plate 3 by the screws 24 and, preferably, by an additional screw 39 screwthreaded through the insulating plate 6 and into the plate 3.

The contacts l4 and I5 may be relatively adjusted, by the provision of the relatively stifi strip 39 of sheet metal carrying a screw 49 at its free end screwthreaded therethrough to engage with the spring l6 to deflect its end relative to the end of the spring H to relatively adjust the contacts 14 and I5.

Referring to Fig. 9, the source of current is shown at S and current flowing through a second heating element 32 of an indicator mechanism, shown generally at 35, through circuit conductors 33, through the heating winding 21 of the controller and contacts I4 and I5 thereof to the ground pole of battery at G. Current flowing through the heating winding 21 will heat the rod 29 to such an increased temperature over that of the tube Ill, that it will elongate sumciently to again exert pressure on the spring 11 to again separate the contacts l4 and I5. Subsequently, described, the above cycle of operations for the controller mechanism of Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive are periodically repeated during use of the controller mechanism.

The indicating mechanism, shown generally at 35 in Fig. 9 is specifically illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, wherein a casing is provided comprisand a casing cap 42 telescoped by its rim 18 over the rim of the cup to closely fit thecup and cap together.

A disk 43 forming a mounting plate is disposed within the rim of the cup 4| and substantially divides the casing, comprising said cup and cap, into an actuating compartment 44 and an indicating compartment 45. A pervious dial glass 46 forms the end wall of the casing cap 42. Within the space between the end wall of the cup 4| and the disk 43, there is provided an actuating mechanism for the indicating hand 41 having a pointer end 53, and which hand is carried by an end by a shaft 49, its pointed end .43 being journalled in a recess of the casing cup wall and projects through an aperture of the disk 43. An intermediately disposed annular flange of the shaft 49 within the compartment 44 contiguous with the disk 43 prevents such outward longitudinal movement of the shank as would remove its pointed end 43 from its bearing recess.

Rigidly secured on the shaft 49 in the compartment 44 I provide a lever 5| whose free end is preferably arcuate in form to make contacting engagement with a suitably formed end surface of a lever 52 which in turn is journalled on a pin 53 rotatably mounted in the end wall of the cup 4| and in the disk 43, respectively.

A longitudinally thermally expansible actuating rod 54 makes contacting engagement in a journalled recess 55 of a short arm 59 of the lever 52 and by its opposite pointed end is fitted "within a journalled recess 51 of a longitudinally adjustable calibration screw 58, which is mounted in 9. lug 59 projecting into the compartment 44 from the disk 43.

A heating element 32 comprising a winding of electrical resistance wire is wound onto the rod 54. A tensile spring 5| draws the long arm of the lever 52 in such a direction as to move the,

short arm 56 inwardly against the end 55 of the rod 54.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that by longitudinal adjustment of the screw 59, the rod 54 may be longitudinally displaced and by contact with the short arm 55 of the lever, the long arm thereof may be swung about the pivot 53 to rotate the hand 41 on its pivot shaft 49 by virtue of the engagement of the portions 52 of the lever and 62 of the element 5|. All lost motion between the contacting parts described is taken up by the spring 6 l. The e ectrical heating unit 32 terminates in circuit conductors 53 and 64, which are joined to connectors 65 and 66, respectively, and in turn are secured to binding posts 61 which project through the end wall 4| of the casing cup, so that electrical circuit conductors 33, Fig. 9, may be electrically connected to the heating element 32 of the instrument. I

The arrangement of the operative parts is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 9 wherein the thermally expansible rod 54 may be electrically heated by a winding 32 to effect expansion there- The operation of the entire system, the partsfor which have been previously described, will now be related. The parts being given the proper adjustment, as described, the tube I0 is first immersed in a fluid, the temperature of which is, preferably, that of boiling water, namely 212 Fahrenheit. The electrical circuit connections meanwhile will be that shown in Fig. 9, except that during the period when adjustments are made, the switch SW may be thrown to open position wherein the source of current 8 is temporarily disconnected from the circuit.

When thetube llhasbeenlmmeraedinthe boiling water ll. so that it achieves the temperature of boiling water, the adjusting screw llisturnedsothatthecontacts and "are substantially, though but slightly broken, or are so closed that upon the merest reduction in temperature of the water Ii, they will immediately open.

The preferred adjustment is that wherein the contacts will open or close according to whether the temperature of the fluid Ii is but slightly lea or slightly more, respectively, than 212'. Of

course, to achieve a temperature more than 212',

a fluid different in composition from pure water must be used. This adjustment being accomplished, the recesses II in the plug Ii beyond the end of the screw ilis plugged with solder or the like.

For the flnal adjustment the relative positions of the contacts II and II may be varied by adjustment of the screw II, and the adjustment provided by the screw is subsequently employed for any relative readjustment of the contacts that may be desired.

,The parts of the indicator casing Ii. 42, and 0 are, preferably, made of the same material, as is the rod 84, or in any event is preferably made of a material whose coeflicient of thermal expansion is substantially the same as that of the rod 14. These casing parts considered as a whole are indicated by the frame element 1', Fig. 9. and by making the frame 1" of the same material as the rod ll. variations in ambient temperatures efl'ectingaliketherod andtheframe F, will eflect no rotative movement of the lever It. and therefore, no operative movement of the indicator hand 41 will be caused by variations merely of ambient temperatures.

The operation of the system and apparatus contained therein. arranged according to Fig. 9, willbenowreadiLvunderstood. Assumingthat the tube II is immersed in a liquid of a temperature such as. for instance, boiling water at 212, Fahrenheit, and the switch 8W being closed, current will flow over the circuit conductors II from the source 8 serially through the controlling and controlled heated elements i1 and I! and the contacts il-ll, which, for instance, by adjustment of the screw ll are closed.

The current flow through the heating elements effects an expansion both of the rods 20 and 54 with the result that the contacts I4 and II will soon be broken and the indicating hand 41 will have progressed along the scale OI from left to right. Both the controlling and controlled electrically heated elements lose their heat but slowly, so that upon momentary breaking of the contacts ll-ll the hand 41 will recede but little until the contacts are again reclosed. due to a slight cooling of the rod it due to interruptions of the current flow through its energizing heating element 21. Reclosing of the contacts will supply additional heat to the controlling and controlled expansible rods and the operation will thence continue periodically and regularly, there being pulsations of current through the heating elements with intervening non-heating periods.

Now, with the contacts periodically making aoenoss and breaking the tact the adjusting is turned to so ust the contact I relative length of the contact closing the length of the intervening periods which the contacts are opened is adjustably such that the pointer II is positioned by the sultant expansionoftherodllatthescale vision mark 212'.

For any lower temperature of water ll which the tube II is subsequently exposed. hand 41 will recede towards the left. Fig. 0, and indicate the actual temperature of such water. For such lower temperatures, the controlling apparatus comprising the electrically heated rod II, the tube II and the contacts ll-il, will periodically operate as before. but with the contact closure periods relatively shorter compared to the periods of contact opening.

The indications given by the pointer II will be alike even though the voltage of the battery 8 is varied, since such variation merely eifects a variation in the relative periods of contact closing and contact opening, but with no variation in the heating efl'ect produced during contact closing periods.

This fact is of great advantage where the source of current 8 is like the storage battery usually installed on an automobile. variable in voltage. according to whether or not it is in discharged condition, or is being charged at a high rate from an associated generator.

Having thus described my invention in a speciflc embodiment, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made from the embodiment, system and apparatus herein illustrated and described and in the method of operating the said apparatus in systems which are other embodiments of my invention. I

I claim:

1. In a thermally responsive electrical circui is "E controller, an expansible tube adapted to contact a fluid. an expansible rod within the tube having one end secured thereto, a set of contacts associated with the tube and adapted to be included in an electrical circuit with an indicating device, electrical heating means encircling the insulated therefrom, and controlled by the contacts, the tube and rod being differentially responsive to changes of ambient temperature, one of said contacts comprising portions resiliently opposing extension of the rod responsive to temperature increase, the other contact being adjustable to relatively alter the relative movement of the rod and tube effecting disengagement of the contacts, and the intermittent engagement of the contacts effecting current impulses whose cumulative value in a given interval is proportional to the fluid temperature.

2. The circuit controller as described in claim 1 and wherein the tube end adapted to contact the fluid comprises a plug forming a support for the rod adjustable to effect a predetermined cumulative current value in a given interval responsive to predetermined fluid temperature.

3. The circuit controller as described in claim 1 and wherein the contacts are completely encased and the controller is adapted to be detachably secured as a unit to a wall of the fluid container.

THEODORE J. BMULSKI. 

